Chapter 1: The First Hike

The weathermen were wrong. This weekend was the best one of the year thus far. It was late-March in the Southwestern US and it was a perfect day. The temps were in the mid-70s and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Stacy spent the morning running errands, including a long trip to the grocery store. She and her husband had decided that they were going to make a concerted effort to eat better and get more exercise. Today’s trip was the first under their new pact and it took a long time to find foods that she felt were both healthy and not poor imitations of cardboard.

“Hey,” yelled Stacy when she returned. “Can you help unload the car?”

Eric ambled around the corner in his boxers and a t-shirt. He helped move the bags into the kitchen and then unpack them for Stacy to find the new foodstuffs a home on their shelves. When they were done Stacy turned to him and said, “I’m proud of you. You didn’t make any snide comments about the groceries.”

Eric shook his head. “It doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking them.”

“Are you going to shower?” asked Stacy.

“Yeah, I thought so. Do I have time?”

“If they are on time, then yeah, you have almost twenty minutes.”

Eric spun and headed to the master bedroom to shower and get dressed. He was out of the shower and mostly dressed when he heard Stacy call out, “They just pulled into the driveway. Are you ready?”

She rounded the corner and entered the bedroom. Eric was sitting on the bed as he tied his shoelaces. Stacy gave him a once-over. He was tall and good looking with thick black hair that tapered to a point just above his collar. He had to-kill-for dimples, but he was a few weeks past his thirtieth birthday party and his body was starting to show a paunch that neither he nor Stacy liked. They decided hiking was going to be the way to get back in shape and return him to his mid-twenties form.

She whistled. “Looking good.” With that she was gone and headed to the living room to meet their guests.

Eric watched Stacy retreat. In contrast, she was tall and svelte with long red hair, small breasts, and a thin waist even as she approached her 33rd birthday. She could still wear the dress she wore to her senior prom if she wanted to embarrass herself in a sequined, bright green, monstrosity that was popular when she was in school.

Eric jumped up and jogged in place to get his blood flowing. He could hear Stacy open the door after the doorbell rang. He quickly made his way to the living room.

“Hey, guys!” cried Stacy as she opened the door and stood aside to allow their friends to enter the house.

Nikki gave Stacy a hug as she passed. The two women went to the same high school, and then college, where they were sorority sisters. Since college, and after being married, Nikki’s figure filled in, which is to say she is a now a beautiful full-figured woman whose large bust sits nicely on her frame.

“Good to see you. I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

Dalton was a few steps behind and also gave Stacy a perfunctory hug. He gave a robust handshake to Eric as he entered the living room.

“I’m not sure what I’m getting myself into, but if it helps me from wheezing when I climb a few flights of stairs, I’m all for it,” said Dalton.

There were a few quiet chuckles. They were due to more of an uneasy agreement than because of any humor.

Dalton was easily the stockiest and most out of shape of the four. Since he was a teenager, he had always carried extra weight. After graduating college, he got a job in the tech industry and he sat behind a keyboard for fifty hours a week. His 5’5’’ frame did nothing to hide his bulk. Regularly eating fast food did not help his 46’’ waistline, either.

“Did you remember your water bottles?” asked Stacy.

“I did,” replied Nikki. She held two empty water bottles up by their cap straps. “But because I put them in the car a few days ago, I forgot to fill them! Can I top them off?”

“Of course,” replied Stacy and the two women headed to the kitchen to fill the water bottles.

“Where are we going to hike?” asked Dalton. “I know Nikki said a name, but I don’t remember.”

“It’s a walking trail that loops around Emerald Bend golf course. Ever since Stacy had the idea of starting hiking she signed up for an online forum and has been reading and posting questions and getting answers from established hikers. Some are from this area and they recommended this loop.”